SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

1

: an internationally recognized signal of distress in radio code ‧ ‧ ‧ - - - ‧ ‧ ‧ used especially by ships calling for help

2

: a call or request for help or rescue

Examples of SOS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The iPhone 13 has so far missed out on Apple’s satellite features, such as Emergency SOS and Messages via Satellite. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 May 2025

The center had received an SOS call from a Garmin inReach satellite communicator device that CPR was being performed on the Selway River between two rapids — Double Drop and Wa-Poots. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 May 2025

The Bluebonnet Detention Facility previously made national headlines when Reuters published drone footage showing detainees in jumpsuits forming an SOS signal, waving to the camera, with one flashing a peace sign. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

May 7, 2025 ON THIS WEEK’S episode of Dinner SOS, senior test kitchen editors Shilpa Uskokovic and Jesse Szewczyk are back to introduce us to the next BA Bake Club recipe: Jesse’s decadent Millionaire's Shortbread Recipe. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for SOS

• bless
• chess
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse

Kids Definition

SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

ˌes-ə-ˈwes

1

: an international radio code distress signal used by ships and aircraft calling for help

2

: a call for help

Medical Definition

SOS

abbreviation

if occasion require; if necessary

—used in writing prescriptions

Etymology

Latin si opus sit